Mistakes prove costly in Spartans' loss

PRIEST RIVER — The Tigers sent a message early, scoring three times on 154 first quarter rushing yards in a 37-7 win over Priest River Friday night.  Timberlake tallied 341 total yards of offense with 287 yards on the ground.  Senior runningback John Morris scored two touchdowns on the ground and another through the air on a Derek Puckett pass.

“It was a great start,” said Timberlake coach Roy Albertson.  “We got on a roll both offensively and defensively.  I told the team before the game if we were going to win a championship it would be decided on the road.”

The Spartans were put into the early deficit after an onslaught of penalties repeatedly stopped drives.  Priest River gained 123 total yards of offense but were penalized 19 times for 120 yards.  Bad first and third quarters offensively led to just 58 rushing yards.

“We just made too many mistakes to win a game,” said Spartan coach Jared Hughes.  “Timberlake just out-executed us both on offense and defense.”

Timberlake (3-1, 1-0 IML) stays on the road and plays at Orofino next Friday.  Priest River (3-1, 0-1 IML) hosts Bonners Ferry, also on Friday.

PR  0   7   0   0   —   7

TL  24   7   6   0   —  37

TL — Aery 5 run (Murdock kick)

TL — PR safety

TL — Tymesen 21 run (Murdock kick)

TL — Morris 23 pass from Puckett (Aery run)

TL — Morris 3 run (Murdock kick)

PR — Powell 5 run (C. Rabidue kick)

TL — Morris 29 run (Tymeson run failed)